Project Summary & Stages
We officially launched sound.colLAB in November 2021. In workshop 1, composer Bekah Simms and the Rolston String Quartet introduced participants to the many sounds of the string quartet and demonstrated some key compositional concepts. Participants learned words like “solo,” “duo,” “trio,” and explored ideas like dynamics, tempo, pitch, and rhythm. Bekah also introduced the concept of a “sound offering,” a recorded sound that participants will use in their original compositions. Participants also had an opportunity to meet each other, the Rolston Quartet, and the team of coaches at Xenia Concerts and NaAC.
Workshop 1
An Introduction to the String Quartet — Small World Music Centre — Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021
We officially launched sound.colLAB in November 2021. In workshop 1, composer Bekah Simms and the Rolston String Quartet introduced participants to the many sounds of the string quartet and demonstrated some key compositional concepts. Participants learned words like “solo,” “duo,” “trio,” and explored ideas like dynamics, tempo, pitch, and rhythm. Bekah also introduced the concept of a “sound offering,” a recorded sound that participants will use in their original compositions. Participants also had an opportunity to meet each other, the Rolston Quartet, and the team of coaches at Xenia Concerts and NaAC.
Workshop 2
Sound Offering Show-and-tell | O’Keefe Lounge at Meridian Hall | 1 Front St. East, Toronto | Saturday, Feb. 26
Toronto Workshop: 10 AM ET | Calgary workshop: 1:30 PM ET (11:30 AM MT)
In this workshop, participants shared their sound offerings with the group and explained why they chose those sounds. Bekah demonstrated some ways that sound can be manipulated electronically, and Rory, Paolo, Evan, and Clayton were there to share ideas about composition and string playing. By the end of this workshop, we knew more about each person’s sound offerings and how sound can be manipulated using computers and string instruments. After the workshop, the participants wrote their text scores with the support of Xenia coaches.
Workshop 3
Making Compositional Decisions | O’Keefe Lounge – Meridian Hall | 1 Front st east, toronto | Saturday, April 2, 10 AM ET
In Workshop 3, participants heard the first version of their pieces for the first time, performed by the Rolston String Quartet. In advance of the workshop, participants sent their text scores to Bekah and she translated them into sheet music. At the workshop, the RSQ played the pieces and we discussed the compositional decisions. Musical scores were provided so that participants could see how their words were translated into sheet music. Bekah, the RSQ, participants, and NaAC/Xenia team members discussed the compositional decisions and the participants experimented and made changes in real time, working in dialogue with the quartet. By the end of the workshop, the participants had a finished piece with a list of changes to make for the final composition. The pieces are now complete and ready to be performed!
One-on-one Coaching
Each participant received one-on-one coaching sessions with a member of the mentorship team. Paolo Griffin, Evan Lamberton, Rory McLeod, and Clayton Smith met with the participants to discuss their compositional ideas, demonstrate sounds on string instruments, and engage in creative music-making activities. These sessions helped prepare the participants for each workshop so that they arrived feeling relaxed and ready to create. Our goal is to instill creative confidence in every participant so that they can uncover their voices as composers.